In Photos: Shohei Ohtani & wife Mamiko Tanaka turn heads at All-Star red carpet event with special nod to Dodgers star's dog Decoy
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani arrived at the All-Star red carpet event on Tuesday with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka. The 30-year-old has been selected for the 2024 All-Star Game, marking his fourth consecutive appearance in as many years.
Tanaka, a former professional basketball player, married Ohtani in February 2024. She was seen alongside him wearing a sleeveless white dress, as depicted in pictures shared on Instagram.
Shohei Ohtani was spotted in a light brown suit paired with a white shirt, but there was more to the superstar's attire. His suit featured a lining adorned with pictures of his dog, Dekopin, a Kooikerhondje.
The two-time AL MVP joyfully opened his jacket to display these images to fans and photographers ahead of the All-Star Game. Dekopin, who is also known as Decoy, has become a bit of a celebrity itself alongside the famous baseball player.
“He’s named Dekopin. For people here, I think the pronunciation is difficult,” Shohei Ohtani said in Japanese (via Los Angeles Times). “His original name was Decoy. So when I explain it to people here, I introduce him as Decoy because it’s easier.”
Ohtani revealed Decoy's name back in December 2023, the same month he signed his blockbuster 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are joining in on the excitement by commemorating Shohei Ohtani and Decoy with a bobblehead giveaway on Aug. 28.
Shohei Ohtani becomes first Dodger to hit a homer in All-Star Game since 1996
During the Major League 2024 All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit a massive three-run home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck.
Shohei Ohtani's 400-foot shot came in the third inning, sending the ball deep into the right-centerfield stands at a speed of 103.7 mph. With this hit, Ohtani became the tenth Dodgers player to hit a home run in the All-Star Game.
The last time this feat was achieved was in 1996 when Hall of Famer Mike Piazza hit one off Charles Nagy in the All-Star Game at Veterans Stadium.
Shohei Ohtani has become the first player in MLB history to both win a game as a pitcher and hit a homer during the All-Star game in his career.